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 It is now week 7 of being a missionary and week 6 of being here at the MTC. It's weird though, I don't understand how being here could feel like 6 years and a couple days at the same time. I totally understand that I need to be here to learn my language, but at the same time I am so ready to go out into the field. I have heard other missionaries who have left the MTC say that they miss it and some aspects of it. I think that these missionaries either have not been at the MTC for too long or they were here for so long that they actually went crazy. I mean, I guess I might miss all the time I have here to study my language and the scriptures, so they might be right, but I don't think I'll believe it until I finally leave.

Last P-day, after I wrote my email and finished laundry early that morning, my companions and I headed back to our building to prepare for the temple. On the side of the building, there is a staircase that leads down to the first floor, which is where our room is, and it is the fastest way to get there. However, it is not exactly the best combination to have someone as oblivious as I am, carrying a large laundry bag, and heading down stairs. On the second or third step down I wasn't paying attention and ended up stepping wrong...really wrong. To save myself from an imminent fall, my bright idea was to jump down the rest of the stairs and land on the ankle I just rolled. I was in a ton of pain, but we also had a temple appointment. So, I took a couple seconds to regain my composure as my ankle swelled up, then I limped over to the temple. It was so cool to do endowments again, even though I was limping throughout the temple. I am sure I looked absolutely ridiculous with my noticeable limp and fake smile pasted over the pain written on my face. I still had a good time though. My ankle is mostly healed now, just a little sore now and it stopped being swollen on Sunday.

Later that day, my companions and I walked into our room to find the Bulgarian Sisters with scissors and one of them (Sister Madsen) sitting patiently on a chair. Sister Stewart had a mischievous smile as she grabbed a handful of Sister Madsens hair and start chopping it off (per Sister Madsens request). This caught me and my companions off and we watched in horror as Sisters Madsens hair was chopped off. Hearing our commotion, the girls from our branch came to see what was wrong and stumbled upon the spectacle. Luckily, one of the girls in our branch is a professional hair dresser, and she saved the day by fixing Sister Madsens hair. It was super funny and made me so grateful for the Bulgarian sisters. There is never a dull moment with them around.

Thursday was when I got to see my college roommate Sister Sorensen! She got here last Wednesday, which means there are now two of my roommates here. Sister Lovell has been here for two weeks and it has been so cool to see here around! Sister Wilson is getting here today! So happy and excited that I get to see her here today as well! I think being here at the MTC, so close to BYU has reminded me alot about all the good times I had there. Especially seeing the building where I used to live from T4, it's so weird to think how longs it's been since I attended BYU. It also makes me really grateful for my roommates, they have been such a blessing in my life. I never thought that I would meet people my Freshman year of college that I would get so close to. They are each incredible people and I am excited to see the other two of them after my mission!

Sunday was Carston's birthday! He turned 21 years old and I was so excited to call him and see how he is doing. Carston, for those of you who don't know, is my oldest brother. He has been an example to me after he worked so hard so that he could serve a mission. He is currently serving in the Phoenix Arizona Mission. Its cool to se how much he has grown and changed after being on a mission for a couple months. Love that guys and I wish him all the luck as he serves the Lord.

On Sunday, I got to join the Bulgarian Sisters in the choir. Both of my companions didnt really want to go, so it was exciting to be a Cecpta (Sister in Bulgarian) for a day! I got to sing with them on Tuesday and that was pretty fun too!

I got to bear my testimony in Fast and Testimony on Sunday about how glad I was to be surrounded by so many missionaries. My calling as an STL has been such a blessing as I have gotten to know the Sisters in my branch.

Monday and Tuesday were pretty great, but also really normal. I am so thankful for all of you!

-Kızkardeş Calder